ALAMEDA -- Lamarr Houston is aware the Raiders' first-team defense barely laid a hand on Drew Brees or Jay Cutler in the past two exhibition games.

He's not overly concerned.

"We want to get it out there that we can rush the passer, but at the same time, it's preseason, everything is very vanilla and offenses are very vanilla," Houston said. "Right now, you can't really tell how much better we've gotten as a defensive line, but soon, you'll be able to see."

Considering the Raiders open the season with Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts and face Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in Week 3 -- both on the road -- the sooner, the better.

Houston and strong safety Tyvon Branch will be the only starters remaining from a defensive personnel purge after the 2012 season. A third, linebacker Miles Burris, has yet to practice after offseason knee surgery.

The Raiders moved Houston from left end to right end, making him the blind side pass rusher, although he'll move inside on some downs with Andre Carter coming in as a nickel rusher.

A two-week absence with an undisclosed injury slowed Houston's progress. He played Friday against the Bears after minimal practice time, and it showed, and coach Dennis Allen is hoping for better things when the Raiders close out the preseason Thursday night in Seattle.

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"I thought he was rusty," Allen said. "I don't think that was his best effort. That just goes to show you it's hard to play this game if you don't get a chance to practice, so I'm looking forward to seeing improvement Thursday night and as we go into the regular season."

Houston, 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, is not the prototype right end, playing with high energy, a low center of gravity and without the jet-propelled outside rush so often associated with his position. He has 10﻿1/2 sacks in three seasons at left end and ideally would get that many this season at right end.

"He's a little bit more of a power rusher than he is a speed rusher, but I really think he's a guy that can help in getting some pressure on the quarterback," Allen said.

Houston was a record-breaking running back who also played linebacker in high school in Colorado Springs, Colo., before going to Texas and playing defensive end, then moving inside to tackle as a junior.

Being on the move so often has Houston resistant to being typecast by where he lines up.

"I really don't think of positions like that," Houston said. "I wouldn't put myself in a category as being a pass-rusher or a run-stopper. I just think I'm a pretty good athlete who loves to play football.

Linebacker Kaluka Maiava, out since late July with an ankle injury, was back at practice and hoping to play against Seattle.

"I'm tired of being locked up in the training room," Maiava said. "I know I have a lot of catching up to do, and I'm ready to get going. My teammates have been grinding this whole camp, and I've been feeling left out and kind of letting them down. Feels great to be back and moving around and getting the season started."

Maiava began camp splitting first-team reps at weakside linebacker with Kevin Burnett but now will likely provide depth at all three positions as well as participate on special teams.

Sebastian Janikowski wasn't mentioned on Allen's injury update with the media, but the place-kicker came out late to practice wearing a ball cap instead of a helmet and watched as punter Chris Kluwe attempted a field goal.

After practice, the Raiders were trying out a left-footed place-kicker on a far field in front of members of the personnel department. As a matter of policy, the Raiders don't disclose the names of players who work out.

Branch returned to practice after missing time with a rib injury. Allen said he would see how Branch responds before determining whether he would face Seattle.

The Raiders are still without wide receivers Brice Butler (hamstring) and Rod Streater (concussion).

The Raiders waived defensive lineman Brandon Bair and offensive lineman Alex Parsons while injured. Both will move to the injured reserve list once they clear waivers.